Title:
NCBA Statement on OIE Vote to Upgrade U.S. to "Negligible" Risk for BSE

WASHINGTON — National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President-Elect Bob McCan, a cattleman from Victoria, Texas, made the following statement about the vote by the Scientific Commission for the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) to upgrade the United States’ risk classification for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) to negligible risk status:

“This announcement by OIE’s Scientific Commission is very positive news for U.S. cattle producers. The U.S. being classified as negligible risk for BSE by the OIE further solidifies the fact that the safety and health of our cattle and our beef is a top priority for American cattlemen and women. With the implementation of multiple interlocking safeguards by the U.S. beef industry and our partners, we have successfully been able to prevent BSE from becoming a threat to the U.S. beef supply, which remains the safest in the world. The vote by the OIE, an internationally recognized, standard-setting body, is proof that the science-based mitigation measures in place in the United States effectively protect our public and animal health.

“This announcement is an important step forward in increasing export opportunities for U.S. cattle producers. This is a significant achievement for the United States, our beef producers and federal and state partners who have successfully collaborated on this issue.”